Bayard: the Good Knight Without Fear and Without Reproach eBook

CHAPTER II

The King heard that the Duke of Savoy was coming to
his Court, and he sent the Comte de Ligny to conduct
the Duke on his way, and to receive him with due honour.
They met him about six miles from Lyons, and gave him
a warm welcome, after which the two princes rode side
by side, and had much talk together, for they were
cousins and had not met for a long time. Now this
Monseigneur de Ligny was a great general, and with
his quick, observant eye he soon took notice of young
Bayard, who was in the place of honour close to his
lord, and he inquired: “Who is that gallant
little lad riding his horse so well that it is quite
a pleasure to see him?”

“Upon my word,” replied the Duke, “I
never had such a delightful page before. He is
a nephew of the Bishop of Grenoble, who made me a present
of him only six months ago. He was but just out
of the riding-school, but I never saw a boy of his
age distinguish himself so much either on foot or on
horseback. And I may tell you, my lord and cousin,
that he comes of a grand old race of brave and noble
knights; I believe he will follow in their steps.”
Then he cried out to Bayard: “Use your spurs,
my lad, give your horse a free course and show what
you can do.”

The lad did not want telling twice, and he gave such
a fine exhibition of horsemanship that he delighted
all the company. “On my honour, my lord,
here is a young gentleman who has the making of a gallant
knight,” exclaimed de Ligny; “and in my
opinion you had better make a present of both page
and horse to the King, who will be very glad of them,
for if the horse is good and handsome, to my mind
the page is still better.”

“Since this is your advice,” replied Charles
of Savoy, “I will certainly follow it.
In order to succeed, the boy cannot learn in a better
school than the Royal House of France, where honour
may be gained better than elsewhere.”

With such pleasant talk they rode on together into
the city of Lyons, where the streets were full of
people, and many ladies were looking out of the windows
to see the coming of this noble prince and his gay
company. That night the Duke gave a banquet in
his own lodging, where the King’s minstrels
and singers entertained the guests, then there were
games and pastimes, ending with the usual wine and
spices being handed round, and at last each one retired
to his own chamber until the dawn of day.

The next morning the Duke rose early and set forth
to seek the King, whom he found on the point of going
to Mass. The King greeted him at once most warmly
and embraced him, saying, “My cousin, my good
friend, you are indeed welcome, and if you had not
come to me I should have had to visit you in your
own country....” Then, after more polite
talk, they rode together on their mules to the convent,